24970 - Learning and Skills Quality Assurance Manager

£30,475 - £35,048
3
12 Months
Wales
Cardiff , Swansea , Usk
HM PRISON CARDIFF CARDIFF, CF24 0UG, HM PRISON SWANSEA SWANSEA, SA1 3SR, HM PRISON USK USK, NP15 1XP
HEO
Band 6
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Education and Training

HMPPS in Wales: Vacancy Attraction Statement

Preventing victims by changing lives
HMPPS in Wales works in an integrated way to keep communities in Wales safer and to give the men and women we work with the opportunity to change their lives. We commission and provide offender management services in the community and in custody to deliver the orders of the courts and support rehabilitation. Our aim is to deliver outstanding, seamless offender management services in Wales that protect the public, reduce reoffending, deliver value for money and support our partners.

The Welsh Language Scheme
Welsh Language skills for this post are desirable.


HMPPS yng Nghymru:  Datganiad i ddenu Ymgeiswyr i wneud cais am Swydd Wag

Atal pobl rhag dod yn ddioddefwyr trwy newid bywydau
Mae HMPPS yng Nghymru yn gweithio mewn ffordd integredig i gadw cymunedau yng Nghymru yn fwy diogel, a rhoi cyfle i’r dynion a’r merched hynny rydym yn gweithio â hwy i newid eu bywydau.  Rydym yn comisiynu a darparu gwasanaethau rheoli troseddwyr yn y gymuned a’r carchar i weithredu gorchmynion y llysoedd a chefnogi adsefydlu.  Ein nod yw darparu gwasanaethau rheoli troseddwyr ardderchog ac esmwyth yng Nghymru sy’n gwarchod y cyhoedd, lleihau aildroseddu, cynnig gwerth am arian a chefnogi ein partneriaid.
Y Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg
Mae sgiliau iaith Gymraeg yn ddymunol ar gyfer y swydd hon.

Overview of the job

This is a Learning and Skills Quality Assurance Manager job in one of the South Wales Public Sector Prisons (SWPSP).

The main purpose of the job is to ensure learning and skills delivery in the prison is delivered to quality standards as outlined in the Integrated Quality Assurance Framework for HMPPS in Wales, ESTYN and Awarding Body expectations.  

Accountable to the Head of Learning and Skills the post will be based in one of the Public Sector Prisons in South Wales

This is a non-operational post with line management responsibilities

Summary

The job holder will be responsible for

  • Managing the quality assurance activities in prison Learning & skills departments in line with the Integrated Quality Assurance Framework for South Wales prisons.
  • Working with the Heads of Learning and Skills to continuously improve in line with Estyn’s 5 inspections areas – Performance; Wellbeing and Attitudes to Learning; Teaching and Learning Experiences; Care, Support and Guidance; Leadership and Management..

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  • Manage the Quality Observation process including standardisation, training and moderation.
  • Analysing audit data to identify areas for improvement in the quality systems and prepare improvement plans.
  • Monitor and report on the impact of quality activities and development plans
  • Support the completion of the annual Self-Assessment Report and development and monitoring of the Quality Development Plans
  • Provide additional learning and support (mentoring) to staff for quality development and occupation competence
  • Ensure ILPs and other elements of the Learner Journey course folders are completed to an excellent standard.
  • Monitor weekly end of course learner evaluations from staff in Learning and Skills departments and Industries and inputting on MIS
  • Ensure all staff are competent to deliver Essential Skills and/or vocational courses and resources/ILPs are effectively utilised according to Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK)/Accreditation Boards’ Standards and delivered in a multi-sensory way as appropriate
  • Maintain and monitor all aspects of Essential Skills in the department to maintain compliance with Quality mark/Inspectors expectations
  • Support the preparation of the Annual Needs Analysis Report documents
  • To be responsible for the implementation of all recommendations that focus on quality procedures, from all inspections and assurance visits
  • Ensure all teachers have required marking schemes, Essential Skills information displayed in learning environments, delivery plans in place/displayed
  • Deliver 300 hours of teaching per year
  • Maintain own professional standards and continuous professional development by attending courses, meetings, training events, workshops, seminars in order to develop yourself and the department
  • To be highly self-motivated and organised
  • Adhere to all HMPPS policies and procedures
  • line management of teachers and admin staff as required by the Heads of Learning and Skills

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder

Competencies

All of the competencies in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Competency and Qualities Framework are relevant to this group profile. For the purpose of selection the following competencies will be measured:

  • Making effective decisions
  • Working at pace
  • Acting with integrity
  • Partnering and collaborating
  • Persuading and influencing

Essential Skills/ Qualifications/ Accreditation/ Registration

  • Teaching qualification, minimum Cert Ed or PGCE
  • Quality inspection, auditing experience
  • Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, QA applications and databases
  • Knowledge of tools, concepts and methodologies of QA
  • Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements

Hours of Work and Allowances

37 hours per week.

 Factor Examples

Please provide job-specific examples to support the factors below (please refer to guidance for completion):

Factor

Examples

Skills and Knowledge

Experience of quality assurance processes within an education setting. Good knowledge of Learning and Skills quality assurance principles

Experience in preparation of education Self-Assessment Reports and Quality Development Plans in line with Welsh Government

Excellent communication skills –written and oral

Teaching qualification minimum Cert Ed or PGCE

Ability to analyse complex data and prepare and present complex reports and other management information.

Experience of using Management Information Systems and IT systems – Microsoft office and HMPPS software

Accountability and Decision Making

Ensuring L&S provision is delivered to professional standards and expectations, through regular meetings with HOLs, teachers and administration staff, reporting progress to HOLs and HORR.

Responsible for implementing HOLs quality protocols for the support and development of teachers. E.G lesson observations within classroom and all associated paperwork such as course files, schemes of work and ILP’s.

Responsible for ensuring learning and skills quality standards are followed by departmental staff through ongoing quality checks offering support and guidance as necessary.

Problem Solving

Working closely with the Area Quality Manager to identify, manage and resolve risks and issues to ensure successful and delivery of quality milestones.

Challenge failures to achieve quality expectations and facilitate solutions by identify factors affecting achievement of high quality and offer a range of solutions.

Resource Management and Financial Impact

No budget responsibility

Organising and Planning

New quality assurance processes need to be developed and implemented, they will require constant review and feedback from users to ensure they are fit for purpose.

Support the Area Quality Manager developing and implement monitoring and checking of quality systems for the department and area team. Provide regular feedback to establishments HOLs and HORR.

Planning relevant communication of future activities to colleagues and stakeholders

People Management

Line management responsibilities for teachers so responsible for annual appraisal and performance management

Information Management

Create support data capture systems that support the requirements of L&S department and area team as necessary and provide reports to Area Quality Manager, HOLs & HORR

Provide management information reports to Area Quality Manager, HOLs and Governors

Influencing and Interaction

Provide leadership and direction with regard to L&S quality assurance delivery in the establishment

Ensure teachers and administration staff understand the need for, and comply with, quality protocols

Work with teachers and mangers to find new ways of working that will improve outcomes and increase staff skills and commitment to offender learning.

Identify and support all teachers strengths and weaknesses from classroom observations

Emotional Demand and Risk

Prisoner contact during lessons. Prisoner complaints

Desirable

Working Arrangements & Further Information

Some of MoJ’s, including HMPPS, terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard working hours for this post are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

-HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

-HMPPS offers a childcare vouchers scheme. The scheme enables staff to take part of their salary in the form of Childcare Vouchers. This is known as a Salary Sacrifice. The vouchers can then be used to help meet the costs of any form of registered or approved childcare for children aged 0-16. The vouchers are exempt from tax and National Insurance contributions

Training

-HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provide a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

Eligibility

-All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS

-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which HMPPS considers to be racist

 

 

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.

There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Expected: Interview dates are expected to held in the week commencing 22 April.

29/03/2019, 23:55 hours.

Closing Date: 29/03/2019, 23:55 hours

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk. Please quote the job reference - 24970.

Candidate Information

You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:


  • An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
  • A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.

During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.



if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Acts with Integrity

Effectiveness in this area means consistently acting in a principled, open and conscientiousness manner, and challenging unacceptable behaviour. Those who work in establishments must achieve a balance between excessive distance and familiarity with prisoners whilst dealing with prisoners in a way that is firm and fair. At a senior level it is about promoting a culture in which personal integrity thrives at all levels of the organisation.

Collaborating and Partnering
Persuading and Influencing

Effectiveness in this area means listening to each other, using reason and cooperation to reach agreement. We must all seeks to understand others’ perspectives whilst following through on agreements. Those who work in establishments must take time to understand the prisoners’ point of view and encourage prisoners to understand own / establishment’s perspective. At a senior level it is about promoting a culture of open interaction and effective consultation across all levels of the organisation. It is about influencing and involving the right people necessary to get things done.

Teaching qualification, minimum Cert Ed or PGCE

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.


Application form stage assessments

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

· UK nationals

· nationals of the Republic of Ireland

· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

This Vacancy is closed to applications.